The Specials have added five extra dates to their 2009 reunion tour, after selling over 45, 000 tickets when they went on sale thi morning (December 11).

The group, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut single “Gangsters” will now play a further three nights at London’s Brixton Academy on May 8, 10 and 11 – bringing the total to five nights at the venue.

The Specials have also added a second night at Glasgow Academy on April 28, and a second night at Manchester Apollo on May 4.

Tickets for the new dates are on sale now.

The band have also responded to founder member Jerry Dammers’ claims that he was “driven out of the band” and not invited to take part in the reunion by saying: “We don’t agree with what Jerry has said, but we don’t want to talk about it, not least because it is in the hands of our lawyers. We are all very excited about the overwhelming support shown to us, and the rush to buy tickets would appear to prove that the fans are looking forward to joining us in these dancehalls across the country next year as much as we are looking forward to playing them.”

The Specials live dates are now as follows:

NEWCASTLE, Academy (April 22)

LONDON, Brixton Academy (6, 7, 8, 11, 12)

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